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Tapering Pentasa Enema

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 4/23/2018 12:17 AM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone. This is my first post.

In fall of 2016, after a colonoscopy I was diagnosed with proctitis. I took salofalk suppository daily and then tapered but symptoms returned whenever I would stop the Salofalk.

This past March I went for a second colonoscopy and the inflammation had spread up my sigmoid colon and I have a small pocket of inflammation on my transverse colon. The diagnosis was left-sided UC. I was prescribed pentasa oral (2g) daily and pentasa enema (4g). I was told to take the enema every day for 1 month, every second day for second month and every 3rd day for 3rd month.

Pentasa worked pretty well for me. I have had no blood and formed stools but still have very loud rumbling stomach and sometimes mushy bowel movements (bristol 6). I decided not to taper the pentasa at 4 weeks and I am now at 6 weeks with the enema daily. This past weekend I was disappointed as I had some abdominal pain and diarrhea with blood twice.

Does this indicate that Pentasa is not working? Or could it just be a mini flare? I meet with my gastroenterologist at the end of May. Do you think I shoud continue with the enema daily? Or is it a good idea to start to taper even if you feel there is still inflammation?

This forum has been a great resource for me so thanks to everyone on here for their honesty and advice.
Posted 4/23/2018 12:26 PM (GMT 0)
"This past weekend I was disappointed as I had some abdominal pain and diarrhea with blood twice.
Does this indicate that Pentasa is not working? Or could it just be a mini flare? I meet with my gastroenterologist at the end of May. Do you think I shoud continue with the enema daily? Or is it a good idea to start to taper even if you feel there is still inflammation?"

Don't panic as two days does NOT equal a flareup. We can all have bad days. If it persists for 5 or so days then I'd call it a flare.

Tapering off anything while you feel you're doing worse is a real bad idea. Stay the course, take what you're taking now for a few more weeks and make sure nothing is indeed worse.

Pentasa doesn't suddenly stop working, it always has an affect. During flares there can be more inflammation than Pentasa can completely eliminate. If it is a flare, it's possible you might need more meds and/or stronger dosages of your current meds (if not already at max). After the flare, we can often return to the meds we were taking prior to the flare with the same dosages.
Posted 4/24/2018 1:31 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks so much for your reponse iPoop. I really appreciate it. I will stay on the pentasa enema daily.
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